Tortorella’s fine: $30,000

Rangers coach John Tortorella knew he messed up as soon as he said the words about the referees and NBC conspiring to try to get the Winter Classic to overtime (see post below for the money quote).

And whether he was being sarcastic (which I believe he was) or serious (doubt it very much), he will pay for it. Or Cablevision will pay for it. Somebody will.

To the tune of a $30,000 fine.

He deserves it, and he was right to apologize. You just can’t start questioning integrity of the league or its referees. It’s one thing to say they stunk, and they did. To high heaven.

It’s another to suggest there was some sort of bias, or that there was something crooked going on (and though we have joked plenty about the NHL’s favorites, and the Winter Classic being played by and for the Flyers and their owner Ed Snider and his TV empire, it’s mostly joking. Right?).

———————-

Here’s the official announcement from the NHL:

RANGERS’ COACH TORTORELLA FINED FOR COMMENTS

NEW YORK (Jan. 4, 2012) — New York Rangers head coach John Tortorella has been fined for comments made following Monday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers.

“There is no acceptable explanation or excuse for commentary challenging the integrity of the League, its officials or its broadcast partners,” said NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell. “People can disagree with calls by officials on the ice, but even in instances of the utmost frustration there is no justification for speaking as inappropriately and irresponsibly as Mr. Tortorella did.”

every time i looked nbc was discussing/promoting the flyers comcast
organization
if it presented something a little more balanced
ala 24/7
then many would view as just another horribly officiated game
but
more importantly,
let’s just say that the refs weren’t trying to tilt the ice favorably
towards the flyers
and that includes the stupidity of having a ref associated with the organization
then
their ineptness should call into question
their ability to ref a game higher than a beer league exhibition.

plus, jpg, you don’t ever want there to even be a perception of a bias or any impropriety, so you don’t assign a referee with local/organizational ties to a game like that. You just don’t. You’re asking for trouble.

Carp – I would like to say one thing: I agree that questioning the integrity of the league isn’t good for the league and blah blah blah blah. That said,

*IF* Tortarella is going to be fined that much money (what some, fortunate, people make in a year) then the referee’s should be made completely available to the media and the media should be able to ask those questions. You can’t just blindly protect the ref’s. Even the Umpires in baseball have to answer for their transgressions. It has to be fair.

What Torts said was completely obvious to every single person watching the game.

what word don’t you guys understand? Cablevision is going to pay the $30,000 with the money Dolan finds in his couch cushions. It’s chump change. And if Torts has to pay it, too bad. He deserves it, he was wrong, and he makes plenty of money — more than enough to not even feel it when he writes that check.

yes. they’re different, but players get the maximum fine of $2500 (once again, collectively bargained) and suspended for their actions. So to say that it costs more to say something extremely stupid about the officials than it does to try to maim somebody is completely incorrect.

You’re totally right, Carp. I know he won’t pay a penny of it. I am just saying that the broadcast itself noted that it was a Philly native making those calls. I am not a conspiracy guy. More a coincidence on some bad calls. It happens. I just think that SOMEONE has to be able to criticize the referees and I think it might be best if it was the journalists, i.e. you and co.

“yes. they’re different, but players get the maximum fine of $2500 (once again, collectively bargained) and suspended for their actions. So to say that it costs more to say something extremely stupid about the officials than it does to try to maim somebody is completely incorrect.”

so TECHNICALLY i WAS right!

interesting you get FINED less $ for trying to kill someone on the ice.

I am not going on experts. I am watching Bruins and they are too good. Head and shoulders above all teams.

The referee was Philly native and made calls in Philly favor. I see no conspiracy. It is what it is. The guy was inherently biased in favor of his team. Should not happen but I am sure it happens a lot but goes unnoticed

I think they should let Avery be a commentator for a day ( with immunity ) and lets get his take on Torts comments just like when Torts was a commentator and went ballistic on avery`s sloppy seconds comments or is Torts above the law

Sure, Torts or the Rangers or Cablevision will be 30K lighter in the wallet for the the words of the Winter Classic

However, as Carp always says – and rightfully so – the guy can flat out freakin’ coach

Watch him behind the bench – he is completely engaged in every moment and is outstanding at working the moment swings of each contest – as we evident on Monday afternoon

Yes – he can be boorish and cantankerous and who knows what else with the media – but at this point, who else would you rather have coaching this group of players – who appear to be on the verge of become a championship contender

Now – let’s see what kind of GM we have

For the first time in his tenure with the Rangers – it appears that he will be buying not for the purpose of making the playoffs – but for the purpose of winning a championship – whole different ballgame there

And one more thing

Don’t look for tomorrow night being a trap game – especially after the dust-up at the end of last week’s match – and especially if that piece of Clark named Barch is in the lineup for the Cats

“For the first time in his tenure with the Rangers – it appears that he will be buying not for the purpose of making the playoffs – but for the purpose of winning a championship – whole different ballgame there”

team is playing great and barring injuries may not need to make many moves. sometimes the best move is to not make one. i cannot stand GMs who just want to make a trade so it looks like they are doing their job.

Doan? I like the player, but realistically he’s 35 and didn’t they give a huge bag of money to Richards in part for his leadership skills? Also, if that’s a reason for trading for a deadline rental maybe they should go after someone that’s been past the first round at least once.

author, sometimes you can hit a grand slam like that … let’s remember a few things about ’94. That team was a favorite, and built to win right then, with a coach that wasn’t going to last beyond that year as it turned out. Two of the trades that day didn’t need to be made at all. If they had just done the Noonan-Matteau deal and kept Gartner and the Marchant-MacTavish deal and kept Gartner and Phil Bourque and Peter Andersson, they still probably win the Cup. … Three of those deals were inconsequential.

more important, if you trade Amonte and the Devils win Game 7, or if Vancouver wins Game 7, that deadline was a disaster and we’re going on 73 years.

Another SHG allowed by Devils (although it’ll count even as time expired before puck went in) but their point play is a joke! Whether it’s Kovie or Larsson pressure their points and you will get the breakaway.

If Suter doesn’t re-sign with Nashville that team is in deep, deep doodoo.

Agreed jayhup. What the league did questioned its integrity 100X more than anything Tortorella could have said. I’m glad he got his moneys worth because I’d be mad as hell. Why not just have Milbury or Bobby Clarke out there reffing the game?

Just because the outcome worked out in his favor it shouldn’t change a thing. Because if it happens again and you get the short of the stick do you finally complain then? It was a disgrace.

With that said – love the way this team is being built – you’ve been saying it all along about the fact that something special is going on with this group – you can see it happening – right before our eyes

I just get the sense that the Winter Classic will take this team to another level

Rick Nash or Ryan – can’t go wrong with either. As for Torts I still can’t believe the BS call vs. Cally or the penalty shot. Torts was out of line but can certainly understand his frustration. Then again I didn’t see eau de Laviolette lose any cash for his scrum with Chris Neil. I’m just sayin’

If putting a ref in a game from the home market is a disgrace going to be hard to have refs for the Toronto and Montreal games. That’s first off. If you think the refs care who wins or loses I can’t help ya because they don’t. The refs made some questionable like they do on most nights. By the way, Ian Walsh is a 10-year veteran NHL ref, how many Flyers games do you think he has reffed? 20 – 30? What I’d be more concerned about is that he’s been a ref since 2001 and has done 5 career playoff games meaning he grades out poorly A LOT!

From your earlier post today – he is without question the top netminder in the league right now – if not the entire world

What a psychological edge he provides for the Rangers – he is without question a championship caliber goalie – who is more than capable of stopping penalty shots in key situations like Mike Richter did in 94

He looks so focused out there – tracking the puck so well in just about every situation

I believe he is one of only two goalies right now – he and Mr. Thomas – that are capable of pitching a shutout almost every time out

Manny! – First off, congrats. Second off, welcome back. As for Carcillo, I can’t understand how he didn’t get double digits. Perfect opportunity to send the message to everyone else in the League. A multiple repeat offender on the same exact play. Why not make him the example? Who’d come to his defense? The PA? Not really. Opposing players saying the League is getting out of control with suspensions? Not for this guy.

I saw that Carcillo play today where he threw the opponent into the boards, and there’s no way that he could have had any defense for a play like that – it sure looked like it was intent to injure to me.

Shanny wanted to be more transparent about suspensions. He has certainly done a good job with that and those well explained videos. However, he wanted to be tougher on suspensions and he’s realizing it’s hard to set that precedent of a massive suspension for a hockey hit (this isn’t Simon baseball swinging his stick at Hollweg’s face) when it’s possible for a no suspension on a similar play.

“Carp…the league got caught and their best way to play defense is to go on offense.”

I believe that Tortorella should have phrased it differently. Point out the terrible officiating and that “isn’t it a funny coincidence the blind ref in the 3rd period grew up in Philly and went through their organization”. Well okay that’s probably just as bad.

But the swift action of the league, hefty fine, and possibility of Tortorella forced to say he “tarnished the Winter Classic” speaks for itself. In a sense they did get caught, whether it was being careless letting their guard down or a conspiracy you don’t let this happen for such a huge opportunity to gain fans.

Here’s the official announcement from the NHL:
RANGERS’ COACH TORTORELLA FINED FOR COMMENTS

NEW YORK (Jan. 4, 2012) — New York Rangers head coach John Tortorella has been fined for comments made following Monday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers.

“There is no acceptable explanation or excuse for commentary challenging the integrity of the League, its officials or its broadcast partners,” said NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell. “People can disagree with calls by officials on the ice, but even in instances of the utmost frustration there is no justification for speaking as inappropriately and irresponsibly as Mr. Tortorella did.”

This tweet by Chris Kuc (beat writer for Chicago) is the exact problem Shanny faces when deciding these decisions. If he gives Carcillo 10 and another guy 3 for something that looks similar but really isn’t you will have fans thinking the dreaded c-word (not concussions) but now conspiracy.

The league got caught? And they made him pay for it? Just try and listen to what you’re saying. The question was asked that way by a reporter and Torts went with it jokingly, but he continued to add his serious comments about bad calls and finished with the word “disgusting”. So the whole thing sounded horrible and he is paying for it. I have no doubts he didn’t mean to question the league integrity. Bad calls-yes, but not the integrity of the league. Especially after they won the game. I saw his interview on NHL network right after the game, and I was sure he went jokingly with the reporter.He made a mistake and he is paying for it. Time to move on.

ilb: Torts was joking (maybe half kidding but whatever) and the outcome of the game should have no bearing on his or YOUR outrage. It was the Rangers versus the Flyers and Zebras in the third and that is an injustice to the game. When are you allowed to complain? When you are on the losing end of it? Give me a break.

noonan,
you talking to me? Cause if so, your preaching to the choir.
I agree, hit from behind with intent to injure by a multiple times over repeat offender…pathetic ruling by the league, this league is “disgusting” its is overseer’s are horrible and its officiating is attrocious… hope I don’t get a fine…

Complaining about bad calls is different from what was perceived as calling a league conspiracy. Which seems to be widely supported on the blog today. And the “league got caught” statement is preposterous at best.

Ilb – You are arguing with people that if roles were reversed and Laviolette went ballistic about the early whistle and said that Colie and Shanny are ex-Rangers and biased would want Lavy suspended for the year. I’m just impressed the amount of defense Torts is getting today considering he hates his players and such. :)

you can’t prove their wasn’t bias. You could never prove there was. Was there? How could you possibly know?

But to suggest there was a conspiracy because of two bad calls — and I’m agreeing with noonan, that the McDonagh delay of game call, and the non-call on Gaborik were legitimately bad; the penalty shot, from the replays TV gave us, it was completely impossible for anybody to say it was wrong or right; the call on Callahan was correct — is irresponsible and based in fantasy.

And if you have ever watched even four seconds of John Tortorella’s career, you would know that nobody could ever force him to apologize for something he didn’t regret. Nobody. Ever. It’s not in his DNA. That he apologized tells you one thing and one thing only: That he felt he messed up. His apology was the right thing to do, and the fine was warranted. And he knows it.

noonan, I didn’t call you an idiot. I save that word for special people here. But the argument that we had launched was idiotic — that the league got caught and so it turned to offense? Please? That’s just complete utter nonsense.

“Complaining about bad calls is different from what was perceived as calling a league conspiracy. Which seems to be widely supported on the blog today. And the “league got caught” statement is preposterous at best.”

The league got caught in a vast tin foil conspiracy

OR

The league got caught being incompetent that it enabled a Philly native lifelong Flyers fan (who worked at the Flyers organization) to make the worst calls on at of the most watched games in NHL history, having everyone question the integrity of the game.

How absurd!!!!!! to have a game officiated as horrible as that, and not being able to say anything or question it. Lets face it, what he said is most likely spot on; on course they want these games to be nail biters, of course they want OT, of course they want the home team winning in a shootout. That isn’t just coincidental all the calls went to the Flyers (home team), who clearly were favored from the get-go as far as listening to the commentators at NBC. For example everytime a flyer wound up for a shot – AND PLAYERX FROM THE POIIIINT. Everytime. They couldn’t talk about the flyers enough, that and shadows.

I hated how the Rangers were the ‘underdog’, looked down on as if they shouldn’t have been there in the first place. Whatever, thats another story, and we’re the better team.

Thank you Torts, this NEEDED to be addressed AT the postgame. This was as clear as day, but of course, you can’t just come out and call them out on that! How dare you! Where is your proof!

I believe the integrity of the game is in question and has been in question for a long time. I think Torts was right on with his post game comments. It wont surprise me in the least if a situation arises in the NHL very similar to the NBA’s referee fiasco. For too long the officiating in the NHL has been atrocious… Its closer to the WWF then the other major sports.

If I’m wrong, then the NHL has the very worst officiating in all of sports. It might be time to get outside help. Maybe hire some of the better Russian, Chech, Swiss, Sweden, etc. refs to help out…

I’m going to say something here about the bouche cowards in the flyers jerseys incident, and I think the flyers organization needs to step up here. Mr. Snider “great guy” needs to be paying some hospital bills and giving some primo box seats to a ranger fan and his son (and transportantion etc) for every ranger game in philly from now until they don’t want them anymore!

I am liking this season of 24/7 more with every episode. I rewatched episode two and it did it justice.

I absolutely love the between period stuff from Tortorella and the team. Cally telling him what was up and him going back to watch the film. Now that is uncandid respect.

DON’T TAKE ANY $%^$ FROM ANYONE BUT BE DISCIPLINED!

WE HAVE GOT TO HIT THE NET, BOYS!

So glad he’s our coach. I don’t want to say anything bad about Tom Renney but Tortorella is the polar opposite. Sometimes he holds his players too accountable (i.e., benching them when they know they made a mistake) but I’ll take that over giving players ice time based on their salary any day of the week.

Looks like they are trying to get rid of him before Bobby Ryan. The first team that donkeys up too many high picks or prospects will get him. I hope it’s not the Rangers cuz this will be a waiting game for the entire league.

Bottom line is that Tort’s helped the National Hockey League clean up its officiating act by burning this sleaze-ball aspect of the game ever-stronger into the public consciousness. It hit the coach in the wallet, but I bet the Rangers get a fair shake from now on, which measurable improves their chances of winning The Cup.

And isn’t it just time for the Board of Governors to start looking around for a replacement for this human virus who passes as a “Commissioner.” What a travesty his tenure has been. You mean we are all going to be treated to about 10 more years of this sneaky little worm’s dishonest agenda?